| by Orlando Luna
The Mac OS X Operating System is designed as an easy to use interface. Much of the management of the file and folder paramaters are handled under the hood. But you cannot be a true geek unless you dig under the hood and investigate.
This brings us to a terrific utility from Bare Bones Software called “Super Get Info”. This software is an alternative to the standard “Get Info” option in Mac OS X. “Super Get Info” is a available as a 1MB try before you buy download. Installation is pretty straight forward as you just drag and drop from the installer image onto you favorite location (Applicaions folder suggested).
 Upon first launch of the software, you are given the option of entering a serial number or going into demo mode. The followup dialog boxes ask you if you would like to load the contextual menu option which will add the open in “Super Get Info” option when control-click on any volume, folder or file icon. If you are a keyboard shortcut junkie you can invoke the “Super Get Info” dialogue box by pressing [command-option-i] on a selected folder, file or volume.
If you compare the standard “Get Info” box to the “Super Get Info” box, they may look similiar on the surface. If you look a little closer there is a lot more than meets the eye. The dialogue box is subdivided into four categories, beginning with the Info category.
The info window allows you to copy the file path, change the Creation and Modification dates, toggle on/off visibility and also change and view the Type and Creator.
 The permissions box does not necessarily give you additional option, but organizes them in an easier to use format.
The Finder category has a large Comments are as well as a drop down box for labeling the Volume, Folder or File.
The last area is the suprisingly extended Preview category which actually allows you to scrub through long documents such as PDF's using the familiar QuickTime playback interface.
For anyone who has toiled in the Terminal app or other utilities just to make fundamental changes, “Super Get Info” is a breath of fresh air.
October 2004
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